PBDS chooses Dayak activist Mengga Mikui for Selangau in general election

BY Simon Peter

KUCHING, May 9, 2017 - Former president of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) and Dayak National Congress (DNC) has been picked as a potential candidate by Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) to contest in Selangau in the coming parliamentary election.

Mengga Mikui picked as potential candidate for Selangau by PBDS

PBDS president Cobbold John Lusoi made the announcement at a press conference today, saying that Mengga Mikui has accepted to be the party candidate.

"With the acceptance, he has agreed to leave PKR Sarawak with immediate effect," Cobbold said.

Mengga used to be PKR Sarawak treasurer.

Mengga, 61, was a PKR candidate in Tamin in the 2011 state election, losing to Joseph Mauh of PRS-BN.

Mengga's name is the second PBDS candidate to be announced, after Raphael Richardson Hamit who has been picked to contest in Punchak Borneo (formerly Mambong).

Raphaelson was Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) candidate in Gedong in last year's state election and in February this year, he contested on PBDS ticket in the Tanjong Datu by-election which was held following the death of Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Cobbold said PBDS will be contesting in at least 17 seats, including Punchak Borneo and Selangau, in the parliamentary election.

"But we will name the candidates in stages as we need to verify the backgrounds of those who aspire to contest on PBDS ticket," he said.

He said among those who aspire to contest on PBDS tickets are lawyers, businessmen and retired army officers.

Cobbold said apart from Punchak Borneo and Selangau, the party will contest in Dayak- majority seats of Mas Gading, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Betong, Saratok, Julau, Kanowit, Mukah, Kapit, Ulu Rajang, Bintulu, Baram, Lawas and Limbang.

He said PBDS will not be having any election pact or joining Pakatan Harapan to challenge the Barisan Nasional in the parliamentary election.

"We have decided to go alone, not even with STAR (State Reform Party), because we have different political agenda than theirs," he said.

Cobbold said PBDS has not received any formal invitation to join DAP, PKR and Amanah in PH.

"Maybe, they are not interested in us joining them in PH," he said, pointing out that PBDS will not beg to be a member of PH.

"It is good that we are not in PH otherwise, we will be subjected to their terms and conditions. But since we are on our own, it gives us the freedom to decide what are best for ourselves, the state and people," he said.